Yanmar America to open new facility in Cherokee
ACWORTH — An international manufacturer has invested $20 million to develop a new facility in Acworth that will bring new jobs to Cherokee County.
Yanmar America Corp., a global producer of advanced performance diesel engines, equipment and gas engine-based energy systems, will open a new training facility on more than 50 acres at the corner of Highway 92 and Old Alabama Road, the company announced.
The training and customer experience facility will bring 25 new jobs to the county in administration, marketing, service, training and management.
“We are delighted to have them,” said Cherokee County Commission Chairman Buzz Ahrens. “It’s a reflection of the attractiveness of the county for international companies.”
Delaney Langston, with Yanmar America, said the 50,000-square-foot space will feature classrooms, dedicated training spaces, offices and meeting rooms along, with an auditorium and museum.
“Outside, we will have a couple of fields for product demonstration that will be open to the public,” she said.
Yanmar America President Tim Fernandez said the facility will help both employees and customers become familiar with the business and its products.
“This new facility will allow us to offer proper training for all aspects of our business, while also providing premium experiences through partnerships with the local communities and industry partners such as farmer’s markets, civic group meetings and consumer educational opportunities,” he said in a statement.
The American branch of the corporation is headquartered in Adairsville and the proximity to Cherokee County is a benefit for the company.
“Cherokee County was a desirable location for our new facility for many reasons,” Fernandez said. “The area itself offers natural beauty, and the Cherokee County officials were very welcoming and share our vision for promoting sustainability and agriculture.”
Ahrens said many international companies desire closeness to the Atlanta airport, major interstates and low taxes, and adding another international company along with other such as Jaipur and Adidas is an advantage for the county.
“International companies are a huge benefit because they have an additional dimension and it puts the county on another radar that we might not otherwise be on,” he said. “It’s all part of a package that will lead to other mixed-use developments and recreational facilities. It’s a puzzle that has many pieces and when you add the pieces up, it’s pretty compelling.”
Langston agreed and said the new location’s proximity to the airport will allow the company to “bring in customers and prospects from all over the globe.”
Misti Martin, President of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development said she was impressed with the company and is happy to have them in the county.
“They have a great commitment to sustainability and community … and I think having the facility is diversifying the types of businesses in the county,” she said. “It is a great expansion for them and for the county.”
Croft Architects Engineers in Kennesaw will design the facility and Gainesville company Carroll Daniel Construction will act as the general contractor on the project.
The facility is scheduled to open in August 2017, with a groundbreaking to take place Nov. 16.
Written By Emily Selby
Featured Article Cherokee Tribune and Ledger-News
http://www.tribuneledgernews.com/local_news/yanmar-america-to-open-new-facility-in-cherokee/article_8979c30c-a176-11e6-be7b-eb76cd1ced96.html